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Quick answer
The best value per GB for the UK is aloSIM: 50 GB for 10 days costs $25.00 ($0.50 per GB). For unlimited data, Nomad eSIM is cheapest at $1.63 a day (30 days for $49.00). The cheapest plan of all is Nomad eSIM’s 1 GB for 30 days at $3.00. We compared 347 plans from 7 providers, with prices checked on each provider’s site by 20 October 2026.
Best UK eSIM picks right now
Cheapest plan
Nomad eSIM
1 GB, 30 days
$3.00
The lowest price of any plan here, across the 7 providers we compared.
View planBest value per GB
aloSIM
50 GB, 10 days
$25.00
Works out at $0.50 per GB, the lowest per-GB price among the 6 providers we compared (plans of 3 GB or more).
View planCheapest unlimited
Nomad eSIM
Unlimited, no daily limit stated, 30 days
$49.00
The lowest daily price for unlimited data on trips of 5 days or more: $1.63 a day.
View planPicked automatically from prices on each provider’s own site, checked between 19 Oct 2026 and 20 Oct 2026. Pages read: Nomad eSIM, aloSIM.
Find your United Kingdom eSIM
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UK eSIM plans compared
Plans in every size, from 1 GB to unlimited, with up to two providers per size so you can compare them. In each size, plans that last a week or more come first, then the lowest price per GB (per day for unlimited plans). Labels mark the plans named in the quick answer. Use the finder above to see every plan for your trip length.
| Provider | Data | Valid for | Price | Per GB / day | Hotspot | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomad eSIM Cheapest plan Europe plan, 35 countries | 1 GB | 30 days | $3.00 | $3.00/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| Saily | 1 GB | 7 days | $4.49 | $4.49/GB | Yes | View plan |
| Saily | 3 GB | 30 days | $8.99 | $3.00/GB | Yes | View plan |
| Jetpac Global Three, EE | 3 GB | 7 days | $9.00 | $3.00/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| aloSIM EE, Three | 5 GB | 7 days | $8.50 | $1.70/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| Voye Global Europe plan, 47 countries | 5 GB | 7 days | $9.00 $8.55 with code ESIM4U | $1.80/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| aloSIM EE, Three | 10 GB | 7 days | $13.50 | $1.35/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| Jetpac Global Three, EE | 10 GB | 7 days | $14.00 | $1.40/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| Jetpac Global Three, EE | 15 GB | 7 days | $16.00 | $1.07/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| aloSIM EE, Three | 20 GB | 7 days | $17.00 | $0.85/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| aloSIM Best value per GB EE, Three | 50 GB | 10 days | $25.00 | $0.50/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| Nomad eSIM Europe plan, 35 countries | 50 GB | 30 days | $35.00 | $0.70/GB | Not stated | View plan |
| Nomad eSIM Cheapest unlimited Vodafone 5G | Unlimited, no daily limit stated | 30 days | $49.00 | $1.63/day | Not stated | View plan |
| Voye Global O2 | Unlimited, 3 GB/day full speed | 30 days | $58.00 $55.10 with code ESIM4U | $1.93/day | Not stated | View plan |
| Airalo European Union and United Kingdom plan, 28 countries | Unlimited, 3 GB/day full speedthen 1 Mbps | 30 days | $58.00 | $1.93/day | Not stated | View plan |
Prices from each provider’s own site, checked between 18 Oct 2026 and 20 Oct 2026. Pages read: Nomad eSIM, Saily, Jetpac Global, aloSIM, Voye Global, Airalo. Providers can change prices at any time. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Mobile networks in the UK
The UK’s mobile networks are EE, O2, Vodafone and Three (Vodafone and Three merged in 2025). Travel eSIMs connect you to one or more of them. Here is what each provider lists on its UK plans:
| Provider | Local networks it uses |
|---|---|
| Airalo | EE 5G, EE 4G |
| aloSIM | EE, Three |
| Holafly | Not stated by the provider |
| Jetpac Global | Three, EE |
| Nomad eSIM | Three 4G, EE 4G, Vodafone 5G |
| Saily | Not stated by the provider |
| Voye Global | O2 |
As listed on each provider’s plan pages, shown by network brand name. Networks can change, so check before you buy.
Tip: A plan that lists two networks can switch to the other one when the first is weak, which helps outside the big cities.
How much data do you need in the UK?
Maps, messaging and translation use little data. Video, social media feeds and sharing your connection with a laptop use the most. As a rough guide, a light user with Wi-Fi at the hotel needs about 2 GB a week and a daily social media user about 6 GB a week. For a number based on your own apps and trip length, use our data usage calculator.
Unlimited eSIM for the UK: what you really get
Most “unlimited” plans give you a daily amount at full speed, then slow down until the next day. Here is what each provider states for its UK unlimited plans.
| Provider | Full speed per day | After that |
|---|---|---|
| Voye Global | 3 GB (or 5 GB on the higher plan) | Slower speed, resets daily |
| Airalo | 3 GB | 1 Mbps |
| Nomad | 2 GB on most plans; some state no limit | 1 Mbps |
| Jetpac | 3 GB every 24 hours | Up to 1 Mbps |
| Saily | 5 GB | Up to 1 Mbps |
| Holafly | No daily amount stated | Not stated |
| aloSIM | Not stated | Not stated |
Source: each provider’s UK plan details, recorded from their own sites and checked 18–20 October 2026. The plans table above shows the current price of each plan.
Calls, SMS and WhatsApp
Most travel eSIM plans for the UK are data-only, so they don’t include a local phone number for normal calls. WhatsApp and FaceTime keep working on your usual number over the eSIM’s data. Keep your home SIM switched on for texts such as bank codes. If you need calls and texts, Airalo and Nomad sell plans for the UK that include minutes and texts; they appear in the plans table.
Using a UK eSIM as a hotspot
Most plans let you share data with a laptop or tablet, but limits differ. Holafly allows up to 1 GB of sharing a day, Saily lists hotspot as allowed and Jetpac states hotspot sharing with no data limit. The plans table shows the hotspot rule for each plan when the provider states it.
Also visiting Ireland or mainland Europe?
Many Europe plans include the UK, but not all of them. Check the plan’s country list, and compare it with a UK plan in the eSIM finder.
Setting up your eSIM
- Check that your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked.
- Install the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi, a day or two before you fly.
- When you land, turn on the travel eSIM for mobile data and turn on data roaming for it.
An unused plan doesn’t wait forever. Here is how long each provider gives you to start it:
| Provider | Time to start an unused plan |
|---|---|
| Saily | 180 days, then it starts by itself |
| Jetpac | 3 months from purchase |
| Nomad | 60 days, then it starts by itself |
| GoMoWorld | Valid until you activate it |
Sources: each provider’s own site, checked 20 October 2026.
Step-by-step help: how to install an eSIM on iPhone.
Refunds and if your eSIM doesn’t connect
Holafly lets you request a refund for up to 6 months, including when your trip is cancelled. GoMoWorld gives a refund if you can’t activate your plan. Most other providers don’t state their rule on their destination pages, so check their terms before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
No. If your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked, you can install a travel eSIM before you leave and use it as soon as you land.
Most travel eSIM plans for the UK are data-only, so they don’t include a local phone number for normal calls. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or another calling app over your data instead. Your home SIM can stay switched on for texts such as bank codes.
Not always. Many unlimited plans slow down after a daily amount at full speed, and some limit how much you can share through a hotspot. Our plans table shows the daily full-speed amount and the hotspot rule for each plan when the provider states them.
A day or two before you fly, while you’re on Wi-Fi. Many plans only start counting days when the eSIM first connects at your destination, but check the provider’s terms before you install.
Only if the plan lists the United Kingdom among its countries. Many do, but check before you buy.
UK travel guides
Our UK travel guides are coming soon.
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Joseph Larkin is the founder and editor of eSIM Mentor. He compares travel eSIM plans and checks every price on the provider's own website before it goes on the site, and every coupon is tried at checkout before it is listed. His aim is simple, honest advice that helps travelers pick the right plan and avoid roaming bills.
